Story: Aviation Fans Celebrate First Flight, 12/15/03
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec03/flight_12-15.html

 

Reading Comprehension Questions:

  1. Other than flight and aviation, what were the Wright brothers' interests?


  2. What significant development occurred in 1899 to help the Wright brothers? Why was it significant?


  3. Describe the Wright flyer.


  4. Who made the first successful flight? How long was it? What was the pilot's reaction?


  5. Where is the Wright flyer now?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):


1. How is your life impacted by aviation? How might the world be different if air travel had never been created?


2. What are some recent inventions that have affected your life? Explain.


3. What other inventions have affected life in the U.S. as much as airplanes?


4. Research the history of aviation. Who were some of the significant aviation pioneers?

Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.